Minneapolis responds to Remembrance Garden vandalism

Minneapolis police responded to an incident of vandalism Aug. 3 at the new Remembrance Garden dedicated to the victims and survivors of the I-35W Bridge collapse. The memorial, which was dedicated on Aug. 1, features a "survivor wall," which includes the names of collapse survivors and a message. Vandals removed 22 letters from the message.

Police are investigating the vandalism, and in the meantime, the remaining letters are being removed from the wall until new ones can be installed. It is expected that it will be approximately two weeks before the new letters are in place.

Anyone with information on this act of vandalism is asked to call the police department’s First Precinct at (612) 673-5701 and ask for the property crimes division.

The message on the survivor wall was crafted by survivors and the loved ones of those who were lost. It reads, "Our lives are not only defined by what happens, but by how we act in the face of it, not only by what life brings us, but by what we bring to life. Selfless actions and compassion create enduring community out of tragic events."